11. _I Peter:_ "The date of the epistle is uncertain. Some place it in 61 A. D.., before St. Paul's Roman imprisonment; others, in 63 or 64 A. D., after the release of that Apostle. The probabilities are slightly in favor of the latter date. It was addressed to Christians in certain regions of Asia Minor (i: 1). Strictly interpreted, the language points to Jewish Christians, but it is now generally held that all Christians are included in the address. The occasion of the epistle was impending trial, probably not state persecution, but social and personal opposition and reproach. Hence the tone of consolation and encouragement, even in the exhortations. As often remarked, the keynote is 'Hope.'" (Bible Treasury, p. 150.) 12. _II Peter:_ "The early evidence from Christian writers in support of this epistle is not so strong as in the case of most of the New Testament books. But, as it claims to be written by the 'Apostle' Peter, it must be regarded as genuine, or as a wilful forgery. Internal evidence disproves the latter view. It differs but slightly from the first epistle in style and language, and these slight differences can be accounted for from its purpose. The superiority to all Christian writings of the post-apostolic age is evident. A recent discovery of parts of two apocryphal books attributed to St. Peter shows what inferior literature the earliest forgers produced. * * * * Apparently addressed to the same readers as the first epistle, this one has a different purpose, viz., to warn against teachers of error, and to enjoin an advance in knowledge as well as in holiness. The false teachers cannot be identified with those of the second century, which is another proof that St. Peter wrote the epistle." (Bible Treasury, p. 150.) 13. _Epistles of John:_ "The tract called the First Epistle of John seems rather to partake of the nature of a doctrinal discourse, addressed to believers generally, but more particularly to Gentiles in Asia Minor, probably in the neighborhood of its chief city, Ephesus. Its date is uncertain. Some place it before the destruction of Jerusalem, others towards the end of Cent. i., thinking it bears marks of combating the Gnostic heresy. This epistle contains only thirteen verses, eight of which are found in substance in the first. It was probably written about the same time, but it is addressed 'to the Elect Lady' (thought by some to mean the Church), and 'her children;' or to 'the Lady Electa,' a person so-called for her eminent piety. They are exhorted to persevere in love, faith, and godliness, and to beware of false teachers." (Bagster Bible Helps, p. 30.)